“Are you working Valentine’s dinner?” Jordan asked.
“Of course,” Maria said. “It’s not like I have a Valentine, silly.” She willed herself not to look him in the eyes and swoon. She was embarrassing herself enough already. “What about you, what do you guys do for Valentine’s Day?”
No, she didn’t really want to know, but it seemed like the thing to ask.
“Ha, no,” he laughed awkwardly. “Um, actually, we’re not like that. Not anymore. I’ll probably just work. I might as well.”
Fireworks erupted in Maria’s head, heart-shaped bubbles burst, the ringing of wedding bells! This was news! Exciting news!
Not like that anymore…
Oh, what did that mean? She had so many questions: when did that change, how did it happen, was there a big fight, are you sad, will you marry me?
She took a deep breath.
Put the brakes on, girl, he probably needs a minute.
“Work here?” she asked casually. “In the dining room?”
He laughed. “Where else? Everybody else wants off, but Sharon is offering time and a half.”
Oh, she loved him in his service uniform, all tucked in and tidy. She loved him casual, too. She loved him with sawdust in his hair and motor oil on his fingers. She just loved him. Holy hell.
“You should,” she agreed. “Time and a half is great.”
Maria sighed and tried to refocus before she picked up the knife again. She didn’t want to lose a finger.
“Steph, you should take the night off,” she said. “You actually have a Valentine.”
“Okay, you guys. Sure,” Stephanie said.
———
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